Sea urchin catch season begins in Baja California
The sea urchin capture season begins on July 1, which represents a source of income for approximately 900 fishermen.
On July 1, the red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) season begins, a species to which hundreds of fishermen are dedicated, as well as women and men specialized in the productive chain, indicated Alma Rosa García Juárez, Secretary of Fishing and Aquaculture (Sepesca).
The head of the agency indicated that on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, there are red and purple sea urchin species (S. purpuratus).
Both species, she explained, are distributed from the border with the United States to Punta Eugenia, Baja California Sur, including the islands adjacent to the peninsular massif, taking refuge in the rocky substrate associated with giant sargassum seaweed beds.
The red sea urchin is one of the seven species of greatest commercial value in Baja California, with a fishing effort of approximately 300 vessels from 37 organizations, grouping approximately 900 fishermen.
To the Asian market
In the last five years, there are records of catches averaging 1,269 tons, which are marketed packed fresh and refrigerated, with an estimated beach value of 62.7 million pesos.
Its main destination is Asia, said the official, and added that Baja California permit holders have been able to gain prestige in the markets of many countries. Last year, catches registered 1,271 tons of live weight, which represents a favorable expectation for the social fishing sector, said García Juárez.
